Sunday, February 15, 2015

Review- John Krautner and His Name Is Alive, February 14, 2015 at The Magic Stick in Detroit, MI

John
Krautner and His Name Is Alive, February 14, 2015 at The Magic
Stick in Detroit, MI

Valentine's
Day. A time for lovers, Rock and Roll...and bitterly cold weather.
The thermometer on my car's dashboard read 1 degree. Windchills took
it way below zero, and that's Fahrenheit for all of you out there in
the metric system using world beyond the United States. We also got a
bonus couple of inches of snow in the morning just to add that extra
suck factor. Detroit is not a fun place to be during the winter,
which lasts like six months out of the year.

His
Hame Is Alive was celebrating their 25th anniversary but
we went for opener John Krautner. Rumors of The Magic Stick ditching
Rock for EDM have been swirling about, but it depends on who you ask
if it will happen or not. It would be a shame if it did, as they
recently redid the stage, lights, and PA.

I
have seen John many times, both with The Go and solo, and this was
the best solo performance yet. Whatever it is they did or did not do,
they should do or do not do more of that, as it worked. I feel weird
when I say that something is “the best”, because it makes it
sound like I disliked what they did before when it was not the case.
It's like when someone who hasn't seen you in a while says that you
look great. What, did I look bad before? Same kind of thing.

They
came on early for a club show, roughly 9:30. I think that a lot of
people missed the beginning of the set because folks usually don't
roll in until 10 or so for club shows. By the time it was over I
turned around and there were a couple hundred folks behind me. The
set was the same as the past few times: the whole of the forthcoming
Fun With Gum Vol. 1 and the cover song at the end. That's all
right though, since the album has been delayed due to continually
getting bumped by vinyl pressing plants. There are only a handful of
them left, and with the surge in demand for vinyl they are severely
backlogged, so any kink in the chain bumps things back. This album is
fast becoming the Chinese Democracy of Detroit Rock due to
delays. As frustrating as it is for us I am pretty sure that it is
more frustrating for the band. Winky face emoticon.

Here
was the setlist for those playing along at home.

I
Need Sugar

I
Can Cry Too

Love
Just Ain't Strong Anymore

I
Get A Kick

Lion's
Eyes (played at 78 speed compared to the 7” single)

Northwood
(played at 78 speed compared to the 7” single)

I
Know What's Right

Where
Is Terry?

I'm
Good At A Bad Thing

Music
Is The Thing

Gimme
Gimme Good Lovin' (Crazy Elephant cover)

They
were done around 10:15 PM, again early for a club show. We stayed for
maybe one song for the headliner but the the boss gave the word to
heave ho and off I went. It's all good. We had a blast and look
forward to the next show.

Looking
back through my archives I guess I didn't review the October 27, 2014
show at PJ's Lager House. There have been a few shows I have skipped
reviewing due to laziness over the past few months. King Tuff. Chris
Robinson Brotherhood. I get in a funk reviewing sometimes and say
screw it.